UC-NRLF 


B  M  sn  3^t, 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


AM) 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF 
PENNSYLVANIA 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


AND 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF 
PENNSYLVANIA 


By  ...  •;  '  •  ■ 

Horace  Mather  LippincotI"'' •"' • '•" 


COPYRIGHT   1916  BY 

THE  GENERAL  ALUMNI  SOCIETY 
PHILADELPHIA 


ENTERPRISE  COMPANY 
PRINTERS  AND  PUBLISHERS 
BURLINGTON,    NEW  JERSEY 


'}ijra 


(Si 

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45795G 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON  AND  THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  PENNSYLVANIA 


Upon  a  wall  in  the  Library  of  the  University  of  Pennsyl- 
vania there  hangs  a  photograph  of  the  diploma  given  to 
George  Washington  in  1783  when  he  was  made  a  Doctor  of 
Laws.  For  some  strange  reason  nothing  has  ever  been  writ- 
ten about  this  important  event  or  of  Washington's  connection 
with  the  University.  Few  know  how  intimate  this  was  and 
no  doubt  believe  the  honour  conferred  upon  so  great  a  man 
was  perfunctory  and  the  natural  outcome  of  hero-worship. 
It  will  be  interesting,  therefore,  to  see  how  well  he  knew  the 
institution  and  its  men,  and  how  both  entered  into  his  career. 
The  minutes  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  are  distressingly  mea- 
ger at  this  time,  which  may  be  proof  of  their  dignity  or  that 
the  times  were  too  crowded  with  events  of  national  impor- 
tance to  elaborate  upon  their  own  affairs.  Indeed  the  ses- 
sions of  the  University  were  frequently  interrupted  during 
this  troublesome  period.     Its  buildings  and  yard  were  used 

(3) 


4  George  Washington  and  the  University 

by  Colonial  troops,  the  British  occupation  of  Philadelphia 
put  a  stop  to  its  classes  and  upon  their  retirement  in  1778  the 
Congress  of  the  United  States  met  in  the  College  Hall  until 
the  State  House  was  cleansed  and  repaired. 

The  Trustees  were  in  no  hurry  to  give  Washington  his 
degree  as  the  date  indicates,  but  they  addressed  him  formally 
in  178 1  upon  his  victory  over  Cornwallis.  Harvard  and 
Yale  Universities  presented  him  with  an  honorary  degree 
earlier  in  his  career  although  he  is  not  known  to  have  visited 
them  at  that  time  or  to  have  attended  any  of  their  lectures, 
both  of  which  he  did  at  Pennsylvania  upon  more  than  one 
occasion. 

It  is  reasonable  to  suppose  that  Washington's  first  sight 
of  the  Academy  and  of  a  large  city,  the  largest  indeed  and 
the  most  prosperous  on  the  continent,  was  in  1756  when  he 
journeyed  to  Boston  on  horseback  to  settle  the  dispute  about 
the  command  of  the  army  to  resist  the  Indians  on  the  fron- 
tier. The  Pennsylvania  Journal  and  the  Gazette  tell  us  of 
his  arrival  in  Philadelphia  on  February  6th.  He  visited 
Governor  Morris  and  fitted  himself  out  as  his  expenditures 
to  the  tailor,  hatter,  jeweler  and  saddler  show.  Benjamin 
Franklin,  the  President  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  and  Pro- 
vost Smith  must  have  shown  him  some  attention  during  his 
ten  days'  visit  as  they  were  among  the  most  distinguished 
citizens,  and  it  was  the  custom  at  the  Academy  to  entertain 


George  Jrashiucjton  and  the  Unizersily  5 


important  visitors.     On  his  return  in  March  he  lodged  with 
Mr.  Woods  and  went  to  the  Assembly  Ball. 

He  was  present  at  Commencement  in  1775  and  1782 
and  while  presiding  over  the  Constitutional  Convention  in 
1787  accompanied  his  hostess,  Mrs.  Robert  Morris,  to  a 
reading  for  charity  in  College  Hall  on  May  i8th.  When 
James  Wilson  opened  the  law  school,  President  Washington 
attended  his  introductory  lecture  in  College  Hall  on  Decem- 
ber 15th,  1790.  These  are  the  visits  definitely  recorded, 
though  no  doubt  there  were  many  others  as  he  spent  much 
time  in  Philadelphia  from  1775  to  the  close  of  the  century, 
lived  near  to  the  University  and  was  surrounded  with  inti- 
mates who  were  graduates  or  patrons.  On  three  occasions  at 
least  the  Trustees  and  Faculty  waited  upon  him  in  a  body,  as 
we  shall  see.  He  spoke  to  them  of  his  earnest  desire  to  en- 
courage all  seminaries  of  learning,  of  his  inexpressible  hap- 
piness at  being  able  to  contribute  toward  the  re-establishment 
of  the  University  after  the  disturbance  of  war  and  of  his 
desire  to  be  considered  the  friend  and  patron  of  the  arts  and 
sciences.  He  saw  the  power  of  the  college  man  in  the  framers 
of  the  Declaration  of  Independence  and  the  makers  of  our 
Constitution  and  knew  that  many  of  them  were  University  of 
Pennsylvania  men.  His  great  desire  for  a  national  university 
is  well  known  and  perhaps  it  may  have  had  its  origin  in  the 
intimacy  he  enjoyed  and  the  honours  he  received  from  the 


6  George  Washington  and  the  University 

institution  founded  by  Benjamin  Franklin  in  Philadelphia. 

On  account  of  the  presence  of  the  Continental  Congress, 
the  Commencement  of  1775  was  a  notable  one.  Many  of 
the  delegates  were  at  home  in  the  College  Hall  for  they  had 
been  a  part  of  the  institution,  and  two  of  them,  Franklin  and 
Mifflin,  Trustees,  were  appointed  a  committee  of  reception. 
Allen,  Mifflin,  John  and  Lambert  Cadwalader,  Peters, 
Bingham  and  Smith,  of  Pennsylvania ;  Hopkinson,  Neilson 
and  Sergeant,  of  New  Jersey;  Paca,  Seney  and  Hindman, 
of  Maryland;  Williamson  and  Hill,  of  North  Carolina; 
Dickinson,  of  Delaware;  Marchant,  of  Rhode  Island; 
Grayson,  of  Virginia,  and  Ramsay,  of  South  Carolina,  all 
knew  the  place  and  it  was  dear  to  them.  We  can  imagine 
their  reminiscences  and  the  pranks  they  recounted  to  their 
distinguished  colleagues  as  the  assemblage  gathered.  Some 
perhaps  had  appeared  in  the  "Masque  of  Alfred"  per- 
formed by  the  students  in  January  of  1757  in  honour  of 
Lord  Loudoun  and  the  Governors  of  several  of  the  Col- 
onies, who  were  in  Philadelphia  consulting  upon  plans  for 
common  resistance  to  the  Indians.  Some  grew  enthusiastic, 
no  doubt,  as  they  pointed  out  the  course,  about  the  square, 
taken  by  young  Samuel  Lewis,  of  Virginia,  in  1770  when  he 
won  the  championship  at  foot-racing.  There  may  have  been 
some  in  the  company  who  had  led  the  assault  with  apples 
upon  the  windows  and  new  street  lamps   in    1752   which 


Gcor(ic  H'dshitit/ton  and  the  I'niirrsily 


caused  a  formal  entry  upon  the  minutes  of  the  Trustees 
"that  a  small  Ladder  be  bought,  to  be  always  at  hand  for 
the  Conveniency  of  mending  the  windows." 

As  a  member  of  the  Congress  came  Colonel  George 
Washington,  a  delegate  from  Virginia,  who  was  to  be  called 
within  a  month  to  the  command  of  his  country's  army.  He 
lodged  at  Dr.  Shippen's  and  was  entertained  at  Andrew  and 
James  Allen's,  James  Tilghman's,  Thomas  Mifflin's,  Wil- 
liam Hamilton's,  John  Dickinson's,  Benjamin  Chew's, 
Thomas  Willing's,  Dr.  Cadwalader's,  General  Cadwala- 
der's,  Thomas  Wharton's,  Dr.  Rush's  and  at  other  homes  of 
University  men.  He  wore  his  uniform  because  it  was  the 
best  suit  he  had  and  it  consisted  of  a  blue  coat,  scarlet  waist- 
coat and  breeches.  And  so  Washington  first  appeared  at 
the  University  in  the  colors  it  now  holds  so  dear. 

On  Monday,  May  15th,  1775,  the  following  advertise- 
ment appeared  in  the  Pennsylvania  Packet: 
"♦  *  *  The  COMMENCEMENT  for  degrees  in  the 
ARTS  will  begin  at  the  COLLEGE,  on  Wednesday  next  at 
nine  o'clock;  and  the  business  will  be  finished  in  the  fore- 
noon. That  there  may  be  the  more  room  for  strangers  in 
the  HALL,  the  worthy  inhabitants  of  the  City  are  requested 
to  accommodate  themselves  (as  far  as  they  conveniently 
can)  in  the  GALLERIES;  the  doors  of  which  will  be  opened 
at  half  an  hour  PAST  Eight  o'clock." 


8  George  Washington  and  the  University 

The  account  of  the  Commencement  is  given  in  the  Penn- 
sylvania Packet  of  May  22 d,  1775: 

"College  of  Philadelphia,  May  17,  1775. 

This  day  the  public  Commencement  for  Graduation  in 
the  Arts  was  held  here,  in  the  presence  of  the  most  illustrious 
assembly  this  Seminary  ever  beheld. 

About  half  an  hour  after  nine  o'clock,  agreeable  to  an  in- 
vitation previously  given  to  them,  the  Honorable  members 
of  the  CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS  were  pleased  to 
proceed  in  a  body  from  the  State  House  to  the  College, 
where  they  were  received  at  the  gate  by  the  Provost  and  con- 
ducted to  places  prepared  for  their  reception  in  the  Hall. 
As  soon  as  they  were  seated,  the  Trustees,  with  the  Gov- 
ernor as  President  at  their  head,  followed  by  the  Provost, 
Vice-Provost,  Professors,  Graduates  and  other  students,  in 
their  proper  habits,  entered  the  Hall,  took  their  places;  the 
Galleries  and  other  parts  of  the  house  being  filled  with  as 
many  of  the  respectable  inhabitants  of  the  City  as  could  find 
room.  The  business  then  proceeded  in  the  following  OR- 
DER, viz : 

1.  Part  of  the  Church  service,  with  an  occasional  Prayer, 
by  the  Provost. 

2.  An  Anthem,  accompanied  with  the  organ  and  other  in- 
strumental music. 

3.  Latin  Salutatory  Oration,  de  Amicitia,  by  Henry  Ridg- 
ley. 


Cit'orifc  If'cishitu/ton  and  the  University  9 

4.  On  the  Education  of  Young  Ladies,  by  Francis  Brown 
Sappington. 

5.  Latin  Syllogistic  Dispute,  Utrum  detur  Sensus  Mo- 
ralis?  Respondent,  William  Moore  Smith;  Oppo- 
nents, Benjamin  Chew  and  John  Mifflin. 

6.  On  Ancient  Eloquence,  by  Thomas  Ennals. 

7.  On  Politeness,  by  John  Mifflin. 

8.  On  the  Fall  of  Empires,  by  William  Moore  Smith. 

9.  The  degrees  were  then  conferred  as  follows,  viz: 
Bachelor  of  Arts — Benjamin  Chew,  *Townsend  Eden, 
*Thomas  Ennals,  John  Farrel,  John  Mifflin,  *Henry 
Ridgley,  *  Francis  Brown  Sappington,  and  William 
Moore  Smith. 

**  The  young  Gentlemen  whose  names  are  marked 
with  an  asterisk  (thus  * )  are  of  Maryland,  the  others 
of  Philadelphia. 

Samuel  Armor,  John  Park  and  John  Thomas. 
Honorary  Master  of  Arts,  James  Ross. 

10.  A  Dialogue  and  two  Odes  set  to  music.  The  speakers 
in  the  Dialogue  were  John  Parrel,  F.  B.  Sappington 
and  W.  M.  Smith. 

11.  Valedictory  Oration — B.  Chew. 

12.  CHARGh^  to  the  Graduates,  by  the  Provost. 

13.  Concluding  Prayer,  by  the  Vice-Provost. 

The  Condescension  of  the  Gentlemen   Delegates,  who 
thought  it  not  unworthy  of  them,  amid  their  other  arduous 


lo-  George  Washington  and  the  University 

concerns,  to  devote  a  few  hours  towards  the  encouragement 
of  youth  in  Hterary  pursuits,  and  the  great  generous  ap- 
plause given  by  them,  as  well  as  the  audience  in  general,  to 
the  different  speakers  and  to  their  exercises,  especially  such 
of  them  as  had  a  reference  to  the  present  state  of  our  public 
affairs,  are  circumstances  which  will  be  long  remembered  as 
honorable  to  the  Seminary.  At  the  desire  therefore  of  some 
very  respectable  names,  and  also  that  the  principles  con- 
stantly propagated  in  this  Seminary  may  be  known  to  the 
whole  world,  all  those  parts  of  the  exercises  which  touched 
on  matters  of  a  public  nature,  are  herewith  communicated." 

In  the  next  issue  of  the  Packet,  May  29,  1775,  the 
speeches  on  "Ancient  Eloquence,"  "Fall  of  Empires,"  the 
Valedictory  and  the  Charge  of  the  Provost  are  given. 

"The  Fall  of  Empires"  by  the  son  of  Dr.  Smith  caused 
the  audience  to  break  "forth  into  one  loud  and  general 
plaudit"  when  he  cried  out,  "Liberty  is  our  idol!  She  is  the 
parent  of  virtue,  the  guardian  of  innocence,  and  the  terror 
of  vice  !  Equal  laws,  security  of  property,  true  religion,  wis- 
dom, magnanimity,  arts  and  sciences  are  her  lovely  off- 
spring 1"  Listening  to  this  oration  and  to  others  of  like  senti- 
ment we  can  imagine  Washington's  heart  responding  warmly 
to  the  spirit  of  the  occasion.  How  enthusiastic  he  must  have 
felt  for  the  College  that  was  instilling  into  its  youth  the  prin- 
ciples he  heard  so  ardently  proclaimed  that  day  in  May  of 


Gcorijc  U'ash'uujton  and  tlir  I'nkfrsily  n 


1775  when  he  was  on  the  threshold  of  the  consecration  of  his 
life  to  the  ideals  it  taught! 

Washington  soon  had  further  evidence  of  the  patriotic 
attitude  of  the  University  he  had  visited.  On  the  23rd  of 
June  he  attended  Christ  Church  with  the  members  of  the 
Continental  Congress,  the  officers  of  the  Third  Battalion  of 
Philadelphia  Militia,  Colonel  John  Cadwalader  command- 
ing, and  a  "vast  concourse  of  people"  to  hear  a  sermon  by 
Provost  William  Smith.  It  was  on  the  "Present  Situation  of 
American  Affairs"  and  laid  down  certain  moral  and  political 
principles,  leaving  the  obvious  application  to  the  distin- 
guished gentlemen  in  the  audience.  This  sermon  caused 
much  comment  and  was  considered  a  patriotic  call  to  the 
liberties  of  America. 

Washington  heard  again  from  Dr.  Smith  when  on  July 
nth,  1789,  in  New  York  City  he  presented  him  with  the 
diploma  of  Washington  College,  Maryland,  conferring  upon 
him  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Laws. 

The  ceremony  of  the  commencement  to  which  Washing- 
ton listened  was  the  last  public  one  until  1779.  The  com- 
mencement of  1776  was  a  private  one  on  June  lOth.  The 
buildings  and  yard  were  filled  with  militia  and  the  classes 
discontinued.  The  Trustees  did  not  meet  on  account  of 
"public  alarms."  The  Faculty  complained  that  their  lecture 
and  even  bed-rooms  were  forced  open  and  that  there  were 
"hundreds  of  soldiers  quartered  in  the  College  at  one  time." 


12  George  Washington  and  the  University 

There  were  many  of  the  University's  men  in  the  Revolu- 
tion. Ten  of  them  had  signed  the  Declaration  of  Independ- 
ence. This  is  not  the  place  to  enumerate  them,  but  it  may  be 
well  to  tell  of  a  few  who  stood  near  to  Washington,  were 
dear  to  him,  whom  he  trusted  and  who  helped  him  win.  It 
is  fitting  to  begin  with  that  unique  figure  whom  many  con- 
sider the  greatest  American  of  all  time. 

For  Benjamin  Franklin,  the  Founder  of  the  University, 
Washington  formed  an  early  attachment.  Indeed  it  was 
Franklin,  as  one  of  a  committee  of  three  sent  by  Congress  in 
1775,  who  framed  the  plan,  with  the  Commander-in-Chief, 
at  Cambridge  for  putting  the  defence  of  the  country  upon  a 
permanent  basis.  The  scheme  was  a  continental  army  which 
enabled  Washington  to  carry  on  a  seven  years'  war,  and 
through  Franklin's  later  efforts  in  Paris,  to  carry  it  to  a  suc- 
cessful conclusion.  Washington  wrote  to  him  afar  off  in 
Passy  in  178 1,  virtually  telling  him  that  it  lay  with  him  to 
save  his  country  if  she  was  to  be  saved  at  all.  It  is  Washing- 
ton's words  that  are  cut  in  the  base  of  the  Franklin  Statue  in 
Philadelphia  on  the  site  of  the  one  time  University  buildings : 

"Venerated  for  Benevolence 
Admired  for  Talents 
Esteemed  for  Patriotism 
Beloved  for  Philanthropy." 

He  wrote  to  him  from 


Gt'orye  H'ashuujton  and  thr  University  13 


^^'^i>Ly^a^2^f:Lo^  .?2^  J^.  /ZfT. 


^n^^i^-^P'^Z^^ 


^'^t. 


^^^i^n..<:^  //X^y^-*ii^^e^  /'9'ciLJZt^ 


.c^^^^  "^-^'"y-^--^ 


4p<i, 


^a^s^:^S^^..,cAi^^, 


The  splendid  figure  of  Washington  which  stands  in  the 
Capitol  at  Richmond  is  due  to  Franklin's  selection  of  Hou- 
don  to  execute  the  commission  voted  by  the  State  of  Virginia. 


14  George  Washington  and  the  University 

Anthony  Wayne,  of  the  Class  of  1766,  was  the  most  pic- 
turesque figure  of  the  Revolution  and  one  of  the  finest  sol- 
diers America  has  produced.  He  was  also  an  Assemblyman 
and  sat  in  the  Pennsylvania  Convention  which  ratified  the 
Constitution  of  the  United  States.  Washington's  reliance 
upon  him  is  indicated  by  the  account  of  every  battle  in  which 
he  was  engaged  where  "Wayne  led  the  advance."  On  June 
24th,  1778,  Washington  invited  his  generals  to  a  council  at 
Hopewell,  New  Jersey,  and  after  explaining  to  them  the  con- 
ditions of  his  own  force  and  that  of  the  enemy,  asked  if  it 
would  be  advisable  to  hazard  a  general  action.  Sixteen  gen- 
erals were  gathered  and  all  answered  against  such  an  action 
with  considerable  explanation  until  it  came  to  Anthony 
Wayne.  Washington  then  said  to  him,  "What  would  you 
do,  General?"  He  arose  in  his  place  and  replied  with  em- 
phasis, "Fight,  sir."  The  Battle  of  Monmouth  was  the  re- 
sult. He  served  with  distinction  in  nearly  every  important 
engagement  from  Canada  in  the  North  to  Georgia  in  the 
South  and  after  the  war  Washington  made  him  Commander- 
in-Chief  of  the  American  Army.  In  this  position  he  con- 
quered the  middle  and  northwest  and  secured  for  civilization 
the  territory  between  the  Mississippi  and  Ohio  rivers.  Upon 
the  center  of  the  outer  line  at  Valley  Forge  stands  a  noble 
equestrian  statue  of  General  Wayne.  It  is  where  he  stood 
on  that  hallowed  campground  and  the  place  he  held  upon 


Anthony  Wayne 
Thomas  Mifflin 


Philemon    Dickinson 
J.  P.  G.  Muhlenberg 


C-ofc/i'  irashiuijton  and  the  University  15 


many  a  field  of  battle.    There  is  no  commonwealth  in  Amer- 
ica but  has  a  county  or  town  bearing  his  name. 

John  Cadwalader,  of  the  Class  of  1760,  after  serving  as 
a  member  of  the  Provisional  Congress,  took  command  of  the 
"Silk  Stocking  Company"  in  Philadelphia  before  which  Pro- 
vost  Smith  delivered  his  celebrated  address  in  Christ  Church 
in  1775.  He  soon  rose  to  be  a  Brigadier-General,  meriting 
the  report  of  Washington  in  which  he  said,  "General  Cad- 
walader is  a  man  of  ability,  a  good  disciplinarian,  a  man  of 
good  principles  and  of  intrepid  bravery."  He  was  always 
an  enthusiastic  supporter  of  Washington  and  fought  a  duel 
in  his  behalf  with  Conway,  author  of  the  "Cabal,"  whose 
purpose  was  to  substitute  General  Gates  as  Commander-in- 
Chief.  Cadwalader  badly  wounded  Conway,  who  apolo- 
gized to  Washington  and  left  the  country.  In  1779  he  be- 
came  a  Trustee.  A  brother,  Lambert,  of  the  same  class,  was 
a  member  of  the  Provincial  Convention  and  Continental 
Congress.  He  was  a  Captain  and  Colonel  of  Pennsylvania 
Militia  in  the  Revolution. 

Robert  Morris  held  intimate  relations  with  General 
Washington  as  financier  of  the  Revolution.  He  was  a  Trus- 
tee of  the  College,  a  signer  of  the  Declaration,  member  of 
the  Constitutional  Convention  and  State  Assemblyman.  His 
relations  with  Washington  and  his  confidence  in  him  were  so 
great  that  he  met  his  every  demand  to  his  utmost  ability, 
pledging  his  personal  credit  without  hesitation.   "The  United 


1 6  George  Washington  and  the  University 

States  may  command  all  that  I  have  except  my  integrity,'  was 
his  patriotic  statement.  He  was  the  first  United  States  Sen- 
ator from  Pennsylvania. 

Thomas  Mifflin  graduated  in  1760.  He  soon  took  an 
interest  in  public  affairs  and  became  a  member  of  the  Provin- 
cial Assembly  and  Continental  Congress.  Although  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Society  of  Friends,  he  enlisted  for  the  defense  of 
Pennsylvania  as  a  major  upon  the  outbreak  of  hostilities. 
When  Washington  became  Commander-in-Chief  of  the 
American  Army,  Mifflin  was  the  first  aide-de-camp  he  chose 
and  soon  after  he  appointed  him  Quartermaster-General 
"from  a  thorough  persuasion  of  his  integrity  and  my  own 
experience  of  his  activity."  He  quickly  rose  to  be  a  Major- 
General  and  Congress  maintained  implicit  confidence  in  him 
by  almost  unlimited  financial  support  while  he  was  Quarter- 
master-General. He  became,  indeed.  President  of  Congress 
and  received  Washington's  resignation  in  the  historic  scene 
at  Annapolis  after  the  war.  As  Mifflin  rose  in  fame  and  po- 
sition he  was  drawn  into  a  critical  attitude  toward  Washing- 
ton and  was  suspected  of  being  a  party  to  the  Conway  Cabal. 
He  returned  to  his  old  allegiance,  however,  and  in  receiving 
Washington's  resignation  made  a  particularly  graceful  and 
eloquent  reply.  "You  retire,"  said  he  in  closing,  "from  the 
theatre  of  action  with  the  blessings  of  your  fellow  citizens; 
but  the  glory  of  your  virtues  will  not  terminate  with  your 
military   command:   it  will   continue   to   animate   remotest 


Georijt'  W ashitujton  and  the  Utiiversity  17 

ages."  He  was  long  a  member  of  the  Pennsylvania  Assem- 
bly, Governor  and  member  of  the  Convention  which  formed 
the  national  constitution.     He  was  a  Trustee  of  the  College. 

James  Wilson  was  one  of  the  most  distinguished  lawyers 
of  his  day.  He  was  Professor  of  English  in  the  College  in 
1773,  received  the  degree  of  A.M.  in  1766  and  Ll.D.  in 
1790.  He  founded  the  Law  School  of  the  University  in 
1790,  the  first  on  the  Continent,  was  the  first  Professor  of 
Law  and  a  Trustee.  He  was  a  member  of  Congress  until 
1787,  a  signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence  and  mem- 
ber of  the  Constitutional  Convention,  in  which  he  was  in- 
tellectually the  ablest  of  the  members.  He  is  said  to  have 
had  much,  if  not  most,  to  do  with  the  writing  of  the  Consti- 
tution of  the  United  States  and  was  appointed  a  Justice  of 
the  National  Supreme  Court  in  1789  by  President  Washing- 
ton, who  had  already  recognized  his  ability  by  placing  his 
nephew  Bushrod  under  him. 

John  Morgan  graduated  in  1757  and  received  his  mas- 
ter's degree  in  1760.  He  studied  medicine  under  Dr.  John 
Redman,  a  Trustee  of  the  University,  and  afterwards  in 
London,  Edinburgh,  Paris  and  Padua,  obtaining  his  M.D. 
from  Edinburgh  in  1763.  He  was  a  member  of  many  im- 
portant foreign  scientific  societies  and  founded  the  Medical 
School  of  the  University  in  1765,  it  being  the  first  on  the 
Continent.  He  was  active  in  founding  the  American  Philo- 
sophical Society.      In  October,    1775,   Congress   appointed 


1 8  George  Washington  and  the  University 

him  Director  General  and  Physician-in-Chief  of  the  General 
Hospital  of  the  American  Army,  thus  bringing  him  into  inti- 
mate relations  with  General  Washington. 

David  Rittenhouse,  A.M.  1761,  the  well-known  astron- 
omer, was  a  Trustee,  Professor  and  Vice-Provost  of  the 
University.  His  orrery  by  which  the  revolutions  of  the 
heavenly  bodies  were  presented  more  completely  than  ever 
before  is  justly  famous  and  appears  upon  the  seal  of  the 
University  attached  to  Washington's  diploma.  Washington 
relied  upon  Rittenhouse  to  grind  the  glasses  for  his  spec- 
tacles. 

Philemon  Dickinson,  of  the  Class  of  1759,  was  a  soldier 
and  statesman.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Continental  Con- 
gress and  entered  the  Revolution  as  a  Colonel  of  New  Jer- 
sey troops,  soon  rising,  as  a  Major-General,  to  the  command 
of  all  the  troops  of  his  state.  He  displayed  great  bravery 
at  the  battle  of  Monmouth  and  was  especially  commended 
by  Washington.  As  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Continental 
Army,  he  had  much  to  do  with  Washington  and  was  Cad- 
walader's  second  in  his  duel  with  Conway.  After  the  war 
he  became  United  States  Senator  from  New  Jersey. 

John  Peter  Gabriel  Muhlenberg,  of  the  Class  of  1763, 
was  a  picturesque  and  romantic  figure.  At  the  outbreak  of 
the  Revolution  he  was  the  pastor  of  a  church  at  Woodstock, 
Virginia.  Having  accepted  a  Colonel's  commission  at  Wash- 
ington's solicitation,  he  appeared  in  his  pulpit  with  his  uni- 


Robert  Morris 
Richard  Peters 


James  Wilson 
Thomas  McKean 


Gt'onji-  n'aslinK/ton  and  ///<■  Uuiversity  19 

form  under  his  gown  and  after  preaching  a  sermon  on  the 
wrongs  the  Colonists  had  suffered  from  Great  Britain  he 
proclaimed,  "There  is  a  time  for  all  things — a  time  to 
preach,  and  a  time  to  pray;  but  there  is  also  a  time  to  fight, 
and  that  time  is  now  come."  Then  pronouncing  the  benedic- 
tion he  threw  off  his  gown  and  took  his  place  at  the  head  of 
his  recruits.  He  participated  in  many  battles  and  became  a 
Major  General.  After  the  war  he  was  a  member  of  Con- 
gress and  United  States  Senator  from  Pennsylvania,  but  re- 
signed before  taking  his  seat.  His  figure  is  Pennsylvania's 
sole  representative  in  Statuary  Hall  of  the  national  capital. 
Richard  Peters  graduated  in  1761  and  received  his  mas- 
ter's degree  in  1765  and  Doctor  of  Laws  in  1827.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  Continental  Congress,  Assemblyman  and 
Judge  of  the  U.  S.  District  Court.  He  commanded  a  com- 
pany when  the  Revolution  broke  out  and  in  1776  was  ap- 
pointed by  Congress  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  War.  As 
the  first  Secretary  of  War  he  frequently  came  into  contact 
with  General  Washington.  He  was  a  Trustee  of  the  Col- 
lege and  a  famous  wit.  His  hospitality  at  "Belmont,"  his 
country  seat,  now  in  Fairmount  Park,  was  as  lavish  and 
widely  known  as  was  his  stately  mansion  situated  upon  the 
eminence  which  commanded  an  extensive  panorama  of  love- 
ly country  and  winding  river.  Judge  Peters  tells  of  how 
upon  one  occasion  in  1779  Washington  wrote  him  "that  all 
his  powder  was  wet  and  that  he  was  entirely  without  lead  or 


20  George  JVashington  and  the  University 

balls,  so  that,  should  the  enemy  approach,  he  must  retreat." 
Peters  was  on  his  way  to  a  gala  occasion  at  the  Spanish  Am- 
bassador's who  lived  in  Mr.  Chew's  house  on  Third  Street, 
when  he  received  this  alarming  and  what  to  us  must  seem 
incredible  appeal.  He  was  in  despair,  but  meeting  Robert 
Morris,  who  remarked  his  low  state,  he  was  relieved  when 
that  patriot  assumed  the  whole  responsibility  and  procured 
the  munitions.  When  Washington  was  President  he  drove 
to  "Belmont"  whenever  a  morning  of  leisure  permitted,  and 
there  enjoyed  his  host's  vivacious  conversation  while  walk- 
ing with  him  for  hours  in  the  beautiful  gardens  and  beneath 
the  shade  of  the  ancient  trees. 

James  Tilton,  bachelor  of  Medicine  1768  and  doctor 
in  1 77 1,  was  a  Delawarean  and  entered  the  war  as  a  lieu- 
tenant of  light  infantry.  He  soon  became  regimental  sur- 
geon, however,  and  after  serving  in  several  campaigns  was 
called  to  the  hospital  department  of  the  army,  where  he 
brought  order  out  of  chaos  and  established  methodical  pro- 
cedure. He  refused  the  chair  of  Materia  Medica  at  his 
Alma  Mater,  preferring  not  to  desert  his  country  at  a  criti- 
cal time.  He  was  present  at  the  surrender  of  Cornwallis 
and  soon  after  was  elected  to  Congress.  When  the  war  of 
1 8 12  came  Tilton  was  made  Surgeon-General  of  the  United 
States  Army.  He  was  a  distinguished  publicist  and  member 
of  many  important  scientific  societies. 


Gt'on/i-  II  as  him/Ion  and  llir  Uttiit'rsilx  21 

Jonathan  Potts,  of  the  Class  of  1768,  was  made  a  doc- 
tor of  Medicine  in  1771  also.  He  delivered  the  valedictory 
at  Commencement,  emphasizing  the  advantage  to  be  derived 
in  the  Study  of  Physic  from  a  previous  liberal  education  in 
the  other  sciences.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Provincial 
Congress  and  upon  the  outbreak  of  hostilities  was  appointed 
physician-surgeon  of  the  army  for  Canada  and  Lake  George. 
In  1777  he  became  deputy  director-general  of  the  General 
Hospital  in  the  Northern  district.  His  work  of  reorganiza- 
tion and  efficiency  gained  for  him  a  commendatory  vote  of 
Congress  and  he  was  made  director-general  of  the  hospitals 
of  the  middle  department.  This  brought  him  into  the  enor- 
mous task  of  caring  for  the  sick  and  wounded  at  Valley 
Forge.  From  this  exertion  he  died  at  the  age  of  36,  before 
the  independence  of  his  country  for  which  he  had  so  ardent- 
ly longed. 

Jacob  Duche,  of  the  Class  of  1757,  was  chaplain  to  the 
Continental  Congress  from  1774  to  1776;  Patrick  Alison, 
of  the  Class  of  1760,  during  1776  and  William  White, 
1765,  from  1777  to  1801  with  interruption  from  1785  to 
1789. 

William  White,  of  the  Class  of  1765,  was  chosen  chap- 
lain to  Congress  in  1777.  He  was  riding  with  a  friend  when 
a  messenger  from  Congress  overtook  him.  Realizing  the 
danger  of  enrolling  with  the  patriots  he  hesitated  a  few  mo- 
ments, turned  his  horse's  head  and  accompanied  the  emis- 


22  George  Washington  and  the  University 

sary  to  the  Congress  then  sitting  at  York,  Pennsylvania. 
He  was  the  rector  of  the  United  Churches  of  Christ 
and  St.  Peter's  and  the  first  American  Bishop  of  the  Episco- 
pal Church.  He  was  made  a  Master  of  Arts  in  1767  and  a 
Doctor  of  Divinity  in  1783.  He  was  a  Trustee  from  1774 
to  1836  and  only  lacked  one  vote  of  being  chosen  Provost. 
He  had  close  and  confidential  relations  with  Washington, 
who  attended  Christ  Church.  The  Bishop  was  often  present 
at  dinners  of  state  and  his  residence  on  Walnut  Street  was  the 
only  place  where  President  and  Mrs.  Washington  allowed 
themselves  to  make  a  social  call.  The  Bishop  was  the  dis- 
penser of  the  President's  alms. 

In  1762  at  the  age  of  18  Tench  Tilghman  came  to  Phila- 
delphia from  Maryland.  His  father  was  a  lawyer  and  soon 
became  a  prominent  man  in  the  Commonwealth  and  a  Trus- 
tee of  the  University.  Sympathizing  with  the  loyalists,  the 
elder  Tilghman  retired  to  Chestertown,  Maryland,  at  the  out- 
break of  hostilities,  leaving  his  son  a  merchant  in  Philadel- 
phia. Tench  Tilghman's  mother  was  the  daughter  of  Tench 
Francis,  Esquire,  Attorney  General  of  Pennsylvania.  He 
was  a  founder  and  one  of  the  first  Trustees  of  the  Univer- 
sity. With  Franklin  he  drew  up  its  constitution  and  rules  of 
government.  His  grandfather  assumed  the  direction  of  his 
education  and  he  entered  the  College  in  1758,  graduating 
A.B.  in  1 76 1.  Soon  after  Lexington  and  Concord,  Tench 
Tilghman  became  a  Lieutenant  in  "The  Silk  Stockings,"  a 


^^^^^^^^^^^^ 

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T/^^BSI^^^^^^Bk^ 

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^^^J^>P^^™'^ 

y^f/y^..;.'. 

John  Cadwalader 
Tevch  Tii-ghman 


Lambert  C!ad\vai.ader 
Francis    FIopkinson 


George  JVashington  and  the  University  23 

company  composed  of  the  young  men  of  the  best  social  posi- 
tion in  Philadelphia.  When  it  was  merged  into  Washing- 
ton's Army  Tilghman  was  Captain.  Trained  in  filial  piety 
and  the  reverence  of  a  son  he  found  himself  violating  some 
of  the  tenderest  sentiments  of  his  nature,  but  in  his  relations 
with  his  father  during  the  war  there  never  was  an  alienation 
of  feeling  but  mutual  affection  and  respect  was  cherished  to 
the  end. 

Thus  disregarding  pecuniary  interests,  personal  comfort 
and  family  ties,  Tench  Tilghman  became  the  most  trusted 
and  nearest  of  Washington's  aides,  "master  of  the  most  val- 
uable secrets  of  the  cabinet  and  the  field"  and  proof  against 
the  many  attempts  made  to  alarm  the  general's  suspicions  as 
to  his  being  near  his  person.  In  August,  1776,  he  became  a 
member  of  Washington's  family  and  served  as  his  military 
aide  and  secretary  throughout  the  war,  being  in  every  action 
in  which  the  main  army  was  engaged.  In  a  letter  General 
Washington  wrote  to  the  Hon.  John  Sullivan,  a  delegate  to 
Congress,  on  the  i  ith  of  May,  17S1,  he  speaks  of  the  diffi- 
culties and  disputes  arising  among  the  officers  respecting  the 
order  of  their  promotion,  and  urges  that  it  be  settled  on  ac- 
count of  Mr.  Tilghman  as  being  especially  deserving.  Con- 
tinuing he  says:  "He  has  been  a  zealous  servant  and  slave 
to  the  public,  and  a  faithful  assistant  to  me  for  nearly  five 
years,  a  great  part  of  which  time  he  refused  to  receive  pay. 
Honor  and  gratitude  interest  me  in  his  favor,  and  make  me 


24  George  Washington  and  the  University 

solicitous  to  obtain  his  commission.  His  modesty  and  love 
of  Concord  placed  the  date  of  his  expected  commission  at 
the  first  of  April,  1777,  because  he  would  not  take  rank  of 
Hamilton  and  Meade,  who  were  declared  aides  in  order 
(which  he  did  not  choose  to  be),  before  that  period,  al- 
though he  had  joined  my  family  and  done  all  the  duties  of 
one  from  the  first  of  September  preceding."  This  letter 
needs  no  comment.  It  is  sufficient  to  show  the  character  of 
the  man  and  the  esteem  in  which  Washington  held  him.  His 
commission  as  Lieutenant-Colonel  as  of  April  ist,  1777,  was 
issued  to  him  May  30th,  178 1,  as  well  as  his  formal  recog- 
nition as  assistant  secretary  of  the  Commander-in-Chief.  He 
sought  no  promotion  but  was  content  with  the  confidence  and 
approbation  of  his  chief. 

Upon  the  surrender  of  Cornwallis,  Washington  selected 
Colonel  Tilghman  to  bear  the  news  to  Thomas  McKean 
(A.M.  1763,  Ll.D.  1785  and  president  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  of  the  University),  president  of  Congress  then  in 
session  in  Philadelphia.  He  asked,  too,  that  the  merits  of 
his  aide  be  "honored  by  the  notice  of  your  Excellency  and 
Congress."  The  messenger  reached  Philadelphia  in  four 
days,  having  spread  the  joyful  news  to  an  anxious  country- 
side. McKean  was  awakened  in  the  middle  of  the  night  and 
the  news  given  to  the  aroused  city,  the  watchmen  calling 
"Cornwallis  is  taken"  with  their  announcement  of  the  hours. 


George  IFashington  and  the  University  25 

Congress  presented  Colonel  Tilghman  with  a  sword  and 
horse  fully  accoutred. 

As  his  service  was  about  to  close  Washington  wrote  to 
him,  "There  are  few  men  in  the  world  to  whom  I  am  more 
attached  by  inclination  than  I  am  to  you" ;  and  "I  shall  never 
be  more  happy  than  in  your  company  at  Mt.  Vernon."  When 
Washington  resigned  his  commission  in  that  memorable 
scene  before  the  Congress  at  Annapolis,  Tench  Tilghman 
stood  by  his  side  as  they  faced  the  President  of  Congress, 
Thomas  Mifflin,  of  the  Class  of  1760. 

In  1784  he  entered  into  a  partnership  with  Robert  Mor- 
ris, who  had  known  him  in  his  youth  at  college.  The  asso- 
ciation was  only  terminated  by  the  early  death  in  1786  of 
Colonel  Tilghman  from  disease  contracted  through  the 
hardships  of  the  camp  at  Valley  Forge  in  1777.  He  was 
but  42  years  old.     Washington  said  of  him: 

"He  left  as  fair  a  reputation  as  ever  belonged  to  a  hu- 
man character.  *  *  *  Midst  all  the  sorrowings  that  are 
mingled  on  this  melancholy  occasion  I  venture  to  assert  that 
none  could  have  felt  his  death  with  more  regret  than  I,  be- 
cause no  one  had  higher  opinions  of  his  worth.  *  *  * 
There  is  this  consolation,  though,  to  be  drawn  that  while 
living  no  man  could  be  more  esteemed,  and  since  dead  none 
is  more  lamented." 

After  the  surrender  of  Lord  Cornwallis,  Washington 
was  called  to  the  funeral  of  Mrs.  Washington's  son,  John 


26  George  Washington  and  the  University 

Custis,  for  whom  he  had  a  sincere  attachment.  He  then 
passed  on  to  Mount  Vernon  for  a  few  days  and  was  in  Phil- 
adelphia towards  the  end  of  November  to  stimulate  Con- 
gress toward  taking  measures  for  following  up  the  success 
of  the  allied  arms  and  to  plan  for  an  early  and  decisive  cam- 
paign the  next  year.  During  this  time,  from  the  19th  of 
November,  178 1,  to  the  22nd  of  March,  1782,  he  lived  at 
the  house  of  Chief  Justice  Benjamin  Chew,  a  Trustee  of  the 
University,  at  No.  no  (now  244)  South  Third  Street,  be- 
tween Walnut  and  Spruce  Streets  and  next  door  to  the  Pow- 
ell house,  still  standing,  where  he  was  so  frequently  enter- 
tained. Washington  rented  from  Mr.  Chew,  who  lived  at 
his  country  estate  "Cliveden,"  the  scene  of  the  battle  of  Ger- 
mantown.  The  house  was  a  fine  one  and  had  spacious  gar- 
dens, the  only  ones,  remarks  Ann  Warder  in  her  diary,  be- 
sides Mr.  Norris'  in  the  city.  Benjamin  Chew,  Jr.,  was  of 
the  Class  of  1775  and  delivered  the  valedictory  at  the  com- 
mencement which  Washington  attended  as  we  have  seen. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  University 
on  December  5th,  178 1,  it  was  resolved  that  the  Chief  Jus- 
tice, Thomas  McKean,  and  Doctor  James  Hutchinson  be  a 
committee  "to  prepare  an  address  to  His  Excellency  Gen- 
eral Washington  on  the  subject  of  his  late  Glorious  Success 
in  Virginia,  and  that  the  Provost  be  requested  to  give  his 
assistance  in  behalf  of  the  Faculty."  On  Friday,  the  7th  of 
December,  the  committee  reported  an  essay  of  An  Address 


George  W ash'uujtun  and  the  University  27 

which,  being  read  and  considered  by  paragraphs,  was  agreed 
to.  Mr.  Matlock  was  directed  to  wait  upon  the  Faculty  and 
procure  their  approbation  to  the  address  as  altered  and 
agreed  to.  On  Monday  the  loth  the  Board  and  Faculty  pro- 
ceeded to  present  the  joint  Address,  the  event  being  de- 
scribed as  follows  in  the  Pennsylvania  Packet  of  December 
1 1,  1781  : 

"Yesterday  the  Trustees  and  Faculty  of  the  University 
of  this  State,  waited  on  his  Excellency  General  George 
Washington,  presented  the  following  address: 

To  his  Excellency  GEORGE  WASHINGTON,  esquire, 
Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Armies  of  the  United  States  of 
America. 
SIR:— 

The  Trustees  and  Faculty  of  the  University  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, deeply  impressed  with  a  sense  of  the  many  important 
services  you  have  rendered  to  America,  happy  in  the  protec- 
tion which  this  Seminary  of  Learning,  in  common  with  oth- 
ers, has  obtained  by  your  exertions,  and  elated  with  the 
pleasing  prospect  of  the  progress  of  Science,  and  the  estab- 
lishment of  peace  and  independence,  beg  leave  to  testify 
their  participation  of  the  General  Joy,  that  is  felt  by  all  the 
Friends  of  their  Country,  on  the  capture  of  Lord  Cornwallis 
and  his  Army.  Penetrated  with  the  most  lively  Sentiments 
of  Gratitude  to  Heaven  for  the  preservation  of  your  impor- 


28  George  Washington  and  the  University 

tant  Life,  they  feel  an  additional  pleasure  in  the  reflection, 
that  it  has  pleased  the  Most  High,  who  superintends  and 
directs  the  Councils  of  States  and  Princes,  to  accomplish  this 
Glorious  event  under  the  immediate  auspices  of  your  Excel- 
lency, in  conjunction  with  the  United  Councils  and  Forces  of 
America  and  France :  an  event  which  must  tend  to  humble 
the  prince  of  Britain,  while  it  cements  the  union  and 
Strengthens  the  affection  of  the  confederate  nations,  and  en- 
circles, with  unfading  Glory,  the  head  of  that  magnanamous 
Prince,  to  whom  we  are  so  much  indebted,  and  which  will 
transmit  to  Posterity,  with  Honour,  the  names  of  his  in- 
trepid Officers,  particularly  the  Counts  deGrasse  and  de- 
Rochambeau,  who  with  distinguished  Wisdom,  alacrity,  zeal 
and  abilities,  have  Seconded  the  wishes  of  their  Sovereign, 
by  uniting  their  exertions  in  the  Execution  of  your  Excel- 
lency's judicious  and  well  Concerted  Plan. 

Signed  by  order  and  in  behalf  of  the  Board  of  Trustees. 

Wm.  Moore,  President. 
In  behalf  of  the  Faculty, 

John  Ewing,  Provost, 
to  which  his  Excellency,  the  General,  was  pleased  to  return 
the  following  answer : 

To  his  Excellency,  WILLIAM  MOORE,  esquire.  Pres- 
ident of  the  Board  of  Trustees ;  and  the  Reverend  Mr,  Ew- 
ing, Provost  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania : 


Gconjc  JI'ash'nKjton  and  the  Univcrsitx  29 

Gentlemen : 

Among  the  several  congratulatory  addresses  I  have  had 
the  honour  of  receiving  from  my  fellow  citizens  on  the  late 
important  success  of  the  allied  arms,  I  esteem  none  more 
highly  than  this  of  the  Trustees  and  Faculty  of  the  Univer- 
sity of  Pennsylvania.  Convinced  that  science  is  the  nurse  of 
Liberty,  I  have  ever  made  it  a  rule  to  protect  and  encourage, 
to  the  utmost  of  my  power,  all  Seminaries  of  Learning;  and 
inexpressably  happy  shall  I  be  to  think  that  my  services  have 
in  any  degree,  contributed  to  the  re-establishment  of  an  insti- 
tution, so  eminently  distinguished  as  that  which  you,  Gentle- 
men, Patronize.  It  will  afford  a  Very  Sensible  Satisfaction 
to  the  Generals  of  a  nation,  as  celebrated  for  her  progress 
in  the  arts  as  she  is  for  her  prowess  in  arms,  to  see  their  own 
names  and  that  of  their  illustrious  Sovereign,  mentioned  in 
so  respectable  and  Grateful  a  Manner.  You  are  perfectly 
right  in  attributing  to  their  alacrity,  Zeal  and  ability  a  great 
share  in  the  Honour  gained  at  York. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  the  greatest  Veneration, 
Gentlemen, 

Your  Most  Obedient  Humble  Servt., 

George  Washington." 

It  is  interesting  to  know  something  of  the  Committee  of 
Trustees  which  prepared  this  address. 

Thomas  McKean,  Trustee  and  President  of  Congress, 
was  a  famous  man  in  his  day.     He  was  a  member  of  the 


30  George  Washington  and  the  University 

Continental  Congress,  Governor  and  Chief  Justice  of  Penn- 
sylvania. He  took  an  active  part  in  the  convention  which 
framed  the  Declaration  of  Independence  and  sent  the  ear- 
nest message  to  Caesar  Rodney  which  brought  him  on  his 
famous  ride  to  cast  Delaware's  vote  for  Independence.  He 
was  Colonel  of  a  Regiment  under  Washington  in  1776  and 
as  President  of  Congress  received  the  news  of  Cornwallis' 
surrender,  brought  by  Tench  Tilghman.  He  received  the 
degree  of  Master  of  Arts  in  1763  and  Doctor  of  Laws  in 
1785. 

James  Hutchinson  after  studying  in  the  College  and 
Medical  School  received  his  degree  in  1774.  He  became^a 
Trustee  and  Professor  of  Materia  Medica  and  Chemistry. 
He  was  abroad  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Revolution  but  has- 
tened home  and  served  as  a  surgeon  in  the  Army,  his  most 
distinguished  service  being  at  Valley  Forge.  He  was  a  fre- 
quent visitor  at  headquarters  and  was  often  consulted  by 
Washington  about  medical  matters.  He  did  brave  work  in 
the  yellow  fever  outbreak  in  Philadelphia  in  1793  and  died 
from  it.  His  descendants  have  continued  their  connection 
with  the  University  to  the  present  time. 

John  Ewing,  the  second  Provost  of  the  University,  was 
a  Marylander  who  was  pastor  of  the  ist  Presbyterian 
Church  in  Philadelphia  from  1759  to  1802  and  was  Pro- 
fessor of  Natural  Philosophy  in  the  College.  He  was  elect- 
ed Provost  in  1780  and  remained  so  until  his  death  in  1802. 


John  Morgan 
James   Tilton 


Dwii)  RirrENHousE 
James  Hutchinson 


Gcofijc  If  ashnujton  and  the  U nivcrsily  31 

Edinburgh  University  made  him  a  Doctor  of  Divinity  in 
1773  and  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  a  Master  of  Arts 
in  1759. 

Before  leaving  the  city,  Washington  again  visited  a  Com- 
mencement at  the  University  together  with  other  distin- 
guished persons.  He  saw  before  him  more  young  men  who 
were  to  make  their  mark:  Caspar  Wistar,  James  Craik, 
Peter  du  Ponceau,  William  White,  Patrick  Alison  and 
others. 

Let  the  Pennsylvania  Packet  of  March  30th,  1782,  de- 
scribe the  event : 

"On  Thursday,  the  21st  instant,  a  commencement  was 
held  in  the  hall  of  the  university  in  this  city,  before  a  very 
crowded  and  polite  audience,  consisting  of  the  honourable 
members  of  congress,  the  members  of  the  supreme  executive 
council  of  the  state,  the  members  of  the  assembly,  his  excel- 
lency general  Washington  and  his  family,  with  the  family  of 
his  excellency  the  French  minister,  the  Baron  Steuben,  and  a 
large  concourse  of  the  most  respectable  citizens,  when  the 
degree  of  Bachelor  in  the  arts  was  conferred  on  the  follow- 
ing gentlemen,  viz.,  messrs.  Moses  Bartram,  Michael 
Byrnes,  John  Catlett,  Joseph  Clarkson,  John  Johnson, 
James  Kelly,  William  Kennedy,  Joseph  Borden  McKean, 
Thomas  Memminger,  William  Nelson,  Thomas  Nelson, 
John  Proudfoot,  Thomas  Stewart,  Robert  Brooke  Voss, 
John  Wade  and  Thomas  Wharton.     The  degree  of  bache- 


32  George  Washington  and  the  University 

lor  in  medicine,  was  also  conferred  upon  messrs.  Ennels 
Martin,  Charles  Worthington,  Elisha  Cullen  Dick,  Walter 
Payne,  John  Gibson,  Caspar  Wistar,  James  Craik,  Jun.  and 
Nicholas  Coxe.  The  degree  of  master  of  arts  was  conferred 
upon  messrs.  Andrew  Gregg,  Samuel  Sterrett,  and  Peter 
Stephen  du  Ponceau.  And  the  degree  of  doctor  of  divinity 
was  conferred  upon  the  revd.  Mr.  William  White  of  the  city 
of  Philadelphia,  the  revd.  Mr.  Elihu  Spencer,  of  Trenton, 
and  the  revd.  Mr.  Patrick  Allison,  of  Baltimore. 

The  business  of  the  day  was  opened  with  prayer  by  the 
revd.  doctor  Ewing,  provost;  and  orations  were  delivered 
by  the  candidates,  in  the  following  order : 

A  latin  salutatory  oration,  de  animi  cultura,  by  Thomas 
Stewart.  A  Forensic  disputation  on  this  question,  "Whether 
the  profession  of  the  law  is  or  is  not  for  the  benefit  and  hap- 
piness of  society."  James  Kelly,  Robert  Brooke  Moss, 
maintained  the  affirmative.  Joseph  McKean  the  negative. 
An  oration  on  the  benefit  of  the  alliance  between  America 
and  France,  by  John  Catlett.  An  oration  against  the  utihty 
of  the  Greek  and  Latin  classics,  by  Thomas  Nelson.  An 
oration  in  support  of  classical  learning,  by  Thomas  Mem- 
minger.  An  oration  on  sympathy,  by  Moses  Bartram.  An 
oration  on  cowardice,  by  John  Wade.  The  degrees  were 
then  conferred,  and  immediately  after  was  delivered  the 
valedictory  oration,  in  praise  of  knowledge,  by  Joseph 
Clarkson.     The  provost,  after  having  given  a  solemn  and 


George  irashinqton  and  the  University  33 

affecting  charge  to  the  graduates,  concluded  with  prayer. 
A  band  of  music  played  at  proper  intervals;  and  the  per- 
formances appeared  to  give  a  general  and  high  satisfaction 
to  all  who  heard  them." 

We  come  now  to  the  most  important  event  which  con- 
nects Washington  with  the  University  of  Pennsylvania.  On 
the  1 2th  of  June  1783  the  following  Trustees  met:  Mr. 
Dickinson,  Mr.  Helmuth,  Mr.  Farmer,  Mr.  Hopkinson, 
Dr.  Sproat,  Dr.  Clarkson  and  Mr.  I.  B.  Smith.  Mr.  John 
Sproat  was  appointed  secretary.  "A  motion  was  made  and 
seconded  that  it  be  recommended  to  the  next  full  Board  of 
Trustees  (the  present  not  being  competent  to  determine  the 
matter)  to  confer  the  following  honorary  Degrees.  That  is 
to  say — 

On  his  Excellency  Genl.  Washington  the  Degree  of  Doc- 
tor of  Law,  Rev.  M.  Christopher  Kenzie  the  Degree  of 
Doctor  of  Divinity,  to  be  conferred  at  the  next  ensuing  Com- 
mencement. But  the  present  meeting  not  being  competent  to 
the  business  the  same  is  referred  to  the  next  Board."  How 
deliberate,  how  careful  were  these  gentlemen  though  all  were 
eager,  no  doubt,  to  do  him  honour. 

The  next  meeting  was  on  the  26th  of  June,  1783,  and 
there  were  present  the  Chief  Justice  Thomas  McKean,  Doc- 
tors White,  Bond,  Hutchinson,  Sproat,  Mr.  Rittenhouse, 
Mr.  Hopkinson,  Mr.  Bryan,  Mr.  Bradford,  Reverend  Mr. 
Helmuth,  Mr.  Smith,  and  Dr.  Clarkson,  so  the  record  runs, 


34  George  JVashington  and  the  University 

and  it  was  "Resolved  that  the  Honorary  Degree  of  Doctor 
of  Laws  be  conferred  on  his  Excellency  General  George 
Washington." 

In  the  Pennsylvania  Packet  of  Saturday,  July  12,  1783, 
we  find  an  account  of  the  Commencement : 

"Philadelphia,  July  12. 

On  the  4th  instant,  being  the  anniversary  of  American 
independence,  a  commencement  was  held  at  the  University 
in  this  city,  before  a  very  crowded  assembly;  a  number  of  the 
principal  officers  of  the  state;  part  of  his  excellency  the 
French  Minister's  family;  and  a  great  concourse  of  most  re- 
spectable citizens,  politely  countenancing,  and  giving  ele- 
gance to  the  literary  entertainment. 

About  10  o'clock,  the  honourable  trustees,  attended  by 
the  faculty  of  graduates  in  their  robes,  went  in  procession 
from  the  apparatus  chamber,  into  the  public  hall,  and  took 
their  seats. 

The  reverend  doctor  Ewing,  provost,  opened  the  busi- 
ness of  the  day  with  prayer.  The  exercises  were  then  con- 
ducted in  the  order  following : 

A  Latin  salutatory  oration,  touching  on  a  variety  of  in- 
teresting topics;  particularly,  the  baneful  influence  of  luxury, 
with  regard  to  national  principles  and  manners,  by  Mr. 
Snodgrass. 

An  oration,  sketching  the  plan  of  literature,  classic  and 
philosophical,  observed  in  this  institution,  and  noticing  the 


Gcuryc  Jraslinujlon  and  tfw  University  35 

special  provision  made  for  attaining  a  masterly  correctness 
and  address  in  our  vernacular  tongue ;  by  Mr.  Stephen  Sykes. 

An  oration,  showing  the  essential  connexion  between  the 
exterior  figure  of  man,  and  his  susceptibility  of  improvement 
in  arts  and  sciences,  by  Mr. Morris. 

A  Forensic  disputation  on  dueling.  Messrs.  Ephraim 
Ramsey,  and  Joseph  Thomas,  maintained  the  lawfulness  and 
expediency  of  the  practice  :  messrs.  G.  Bartram  and  N.  Grier 
maintained  the  negative.  The  arguments  were  acute,  and 
judiciously  arranged  on  each  side.  The  provost's  decision 
was  direct  and  full  against  this  Gothic  phrensy. 

An  oration  on  the  nature  of  government;  illustrating  the 
distinguishing  excellencies  of  the  democratic  form :  with  ob- 
servations immediately  respecting  the  United-States;  by  Mr. 
Isaac  Briggs. 

An  oration  upon  American  affairs,  embellished  with  re- 
marks, immediately  respecting  the  spirit  of  patriotism,  and 
the  generosity  of  France  in  the  ever  memorable  alliance;  by 
Mr.  Richard  Footman. 

An  oration  containing  humorous  playful  strictures  upon 
some  apprehended  barbarisms  of  grammatical  and  meta- 
physical erudition;  by  Mr.  John  Chew  Thomas. 

Degrees  were  then  conferred:  That  of  bachelor  in  the 
Arts  on  the  following  gentlemen,  viz :  messrs.  George  Bar- 
tram,  Isaac  Briggs,  Richard  Footman,  Nathaniel  Grier,  An- 
thony Morris,  Ephraim  Ramsey,  James  Snodgrass,  Stephen 


^6  George  Washington  and  the  University 

Sykes,  Joseph  Thomas  and  John  Chew  Thomas.  The  de- 
gree of  bachelor  In  medicine,  was  conferred  upon  messrs. 
Solomon  Berkhead,  John  Morris,  John  Watson,  Thomas 
Waring,  of  Charleston,  South  Carolina.  The  degree  of 
master  of  arts,  was  conferred  on  messrs.  Erasmus  Kelly, 
John  Caldwell,  John  Bleakley,  Samuel  Sitgreav^es,  James 
Gray,  Joseph  Rush,  Peter  Chevalier,  and  Benjamin  Morris. 

The  degree  of  doctor  of  physic  was  conferred  on  doctor 
Hugh  Shields,  he  having  received  the  same  degree  before  at 
Edinburgh. 

The  degree  of  doctor  of  divinity  was  conferred  on  the 
reverend  Samuel  Magaw,  vice  provost,  and  on  the  reverend 
John  Christopher  Kunzie,  professor  of  Hebrew  and  Philos- 
ophy in  the  University. 

The  faculty  and  trustees  desirous  of  showing  every  mark 
of  distinction,  to  the  illustrious  man,  to  whom  America  is  ex- 
ceedingly indebted,  conferred  upon  his  excellency  general 
GEORGE  WASHINGTON,  esq.  commander  in  chief  of 
the  American  army,  the  degree  of  doctor  of  laws. 

The  valedictory  oration  was  then  delivered  by  Mr.  W. 
Stewart;  it  had  been  handsomely  prepared — various  senti- 
mental, delicate,  pathetic;  and  the  speaker  did  it  justice. 

A  solemn  charge,  suited  to  bring  home  with  a  collected 
power,  philosophy  and  virtue,  to  the  bosoms  and  business  of 
the  young  gentlemen,  was  given  by  the  provost. 

The  vice-provost  concluded  with  prayer. 


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George  ll'ashingtun  and  the  University  37 

A  band  of  music  playing  at  proper  intervals,  improved 
the  general  entertainment." 

It  is  interesting  to  note  in  the  description  of  these  early 
Commencements  the  evident  importance  of  the  event,  the 
attendance  of  distinguished  public  personages,  the  great 
length  and  varied  character  of  the  programme  and  the  par- 
ticipatijpn  of  the  graduates  as  the  principal  part  of  it.  Quite 
refreshing  as  compared  with  the  formal  routine  of  to-day 
with  one  visiting  speaker  of  distinction. 

Washington  was  not  present  to  receive  his  degree  and  it 
is  not  known  who,  if  anyone,  received  it  for  him.  With  his 
headquarters  at  Newburgh,  New  York,  he  was  at  the  time 
on  a  visit  to  the  northern  posts  in  the  state  and  the  first  op- 
portunity the  Trustees  had  in  those  days  of  long  and  pre- 
carious communication,  of  presenting  his  diploma  was  when 
he  had  said  farewell  to  his  army  in  November,  taken  leave 
of  his  officers  at  FVaunce's  Tavern  in  New  York  City  and 
was  on  his  way  to  resign  his  commission  to  Congress  then 
sitting  in  Annapolis.  He  stopped  in  Philadelphia  to  adjust 
his  accounts  with  the  Comptroller  of  the  Treasury,  accounts 
kept  in  his  own  handwriting  and  with  the  utmost  exactness. 

The  Trustees  met  on  the  i  ith  of  December,  1783,  and 
the  propriety  of  presenting  an  Address  to  his  Excellency 
General  George  Washington  was  taken  into  consideration. 
Whereupon  Mr.  Hopkinson,  Mr.  Bradford  and  Mr.  Bryan 
were  appointed  a  committee  for  the  purpose.    On  December 


38  George  Washington  and  the  University 

1 2th  they  met  again  and  sent  for  the  Faculty,  who  attended. 
The  address  was  read  and  adopted.  Let  us  see  who  the  men 
were  who  prepared  it. 

Francis  Hopkinson  graduated  in  1757  ^^'^  took  the  Mas- 
ter of  Arts  degree  in  1760  and  that  of  Doctor  of  Laws  in 
1790.  He  was  one  of  the  most  prominent  patriots  of  the 
Revolutionary  war,  was  a  member  of  Congress,  Assembly, 
Judge  and  signer  of  the  Declaration.  He  was  a  musician 
and  a  writer  of  abihty,  in  fact  the  most  prolific  writer  of  both 
prose  and  verse  who  ever  graduated  from  the  College.  He 
became  a  Trustee  in  1778  and  his  family  have  maintained 
their  interest  in  the  University  to  the  present  day. 

William  Bradford,  Jr.,  (A.M.  1781)  was  a  son  of  Col- 
onel William  Bradford,  printer  and  soldier  of  the  Revolu- 
tion. He,  too,  served  in  the  war  and  became  a  Lieutenant 
Colonel.  He  was  a  Trustee  by  virtue  of  his  office  of  Attor- 
ney General  of  the  State.  He  later  became  a  Justice  of  the 
Supreme  Court  of  Pennsylvania  and  finally  Attorney  Gen- 
eral of  the  United  States. 

George  Bryan  was  a  Trustee  on  account  of  his  office  of 
Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Pennsylvania.  He  was  a 
man  of  large  influence  and  prominence  in  the  state. 

The  minute  book  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  has  a  blank 
page  where  this  address  should  be  and  there  are  two  copies 
of  it  among  the  Washington  papers  in  the  Library  of  Con- 
gress.   It  was  customary  to  send  a  copy  of  such  things  to  the 


G conic  ll'ashuujton  and  the  University  39 

recipient  in  advance  of  the  formal  presentation  so  that  he 
would  have  an  opportunity  to  have  a  reply  ready,  which  ac- 
counts for  Washington's  having  two  copies,  and  the  secre- 
tary was  evidently  neglectful  or  in  too  much  of  a  hurry  to 
retain  any  record  for  the  minutes. 

The  President  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  at  this  time  was 
John  Dickinson,  a  Maryland  Quaker.     He  was  the  most 
conspicuous  person  in  the  service  of  Delaware  and  Pennsyl- 
vania from  1760  until  his  term  expired  as  President  of  the 
Supreme  Executive  Council  of  Pennsylvania  in  1785-    From 
the  meeting  of  the  Stamp  Act  Congress  in  1765  until  his 
death  he  was  a  prominent  figure  in  national  history.   He  was 
the  first  to  advocate  resistance,  on  constitutional  grounds,  to 
the  ministerial  plan  of  taxation,  and  for  a  long  period  after 
tlie  enforcement  of  the  Boston  Port  Bill  he  controlled  the 
councils  of  the  country.     He  courageously  maintained  that 
the  Declaration  of  Independence  was  inopportune  and  so 
sank  at  once  from  the  position  of  a  leader  to  that  of  a  mar- 
tyr to  his  opinions.     However,  after  it  was  found  that  com- 
promise was  impossible  and  the  step  was  taken  he  proved  his 
patriotism  and  became  a  General  in  the  Army.     In  I779  he 
was  returned  to  Congress  from  Delaware,  and  in  the  next 
year  was  president  of  that  State. 

In  the  convention  which  framed  the  Constitution  of  the 
United  States  he  took  a  leading  part  and  prepared  many 
memorable  state  papers  at  the  request  of  the  Continental 


40  George  Washington  and  the  University 

Congress.  He  is  perhaps  best  known  for  his  "Farmer's  Let- 
ters," printed  in  the  Pennsylvania  Chronicle  and  addressed 
to  the  people  of  Great  Britain,  which  secured  the  repeal  of 
the  Stamp  Act,  so  well  were  they  regarded  abroad. 

The  address  is  endorsed  by  Jonathan  Trumbull,  one  of 
Washington's  aides,  "Address  of  the  University  of  Phila- 
da."  and  by  Washington  himself  "December  13,  1783." 
The  draft  of  his  answer  in  the  Library  of  Congress  is  in  the 
handwriting  of  David  Humphreys,  his  aide,  and  the  diploma 
is  on  parchment  measuring  2034x25  inches.  The  Pennsyl- 
vania Packet  of  Thursday,  December  i8th,  1783,  gives 
them  both  in  full : 

"Saturday  last  the  following  ADDRESS  was  presented 
to  his  Excellency  General  WASHINGTON,  by  the  Trus- 
tees and  Faculty  of  the  University  of  the  State  of  Pennsyl- 
vania : 
SIR, 

The  Trustees  and  Faculty  of  the  University  of  the  State 
of  Pennsylvania  view,  with  peculiar  joy,  the  conclusion  of 
the  war,  and  congratulate  your  Excellency  on  the  establish- 
ment of  peace. 

When  they  consider  how  many  important  interests  were 
involved  in  the  late  contest,  they  cannot  suppress  their  ac- 
knowledgements to  your  Excellency,  under  whose  auspices  it 
has  been  so  happily  conducted. 


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George  irash'inyton  and  the  Umversity  41 

In  this  arduous  struggle  for  "Peace,  Liberty  and  Safety," 
the  welfare  of  the  Arts  and  Sciences  was  intimately  con- 
cerned— they  trembled  at  the  dangers  that  surrounded  them 
— they  crowded  to  your  standard  for  safety — and  in  you 
they  have  found  an  illustrious  protector.  Sensible  of  her  ob- 
ligations, and  ambitious  of  enrolling  your  (justly  celebrated) 
name  in  the  catalogue  of  her  sons,  this  University  presents 
your  Excellency  with  her  highest  honors,  and  joins  the 
Wreath  of  Science  to  the  Laurels  of  the  Hero.  We  shall 
deem  ourselves  honored  by  your  accepting  this  testimony  of 
our  gratitude  and  estimation  of  your  literary  merits,  and  we 
hope  the  rising  generation  under  our  care,  when  hereafter 
they  shall  see  their  names  enrolled  with  yours,  will  be  fired 
with  emulation  to  copy  your  distinguished  virtues,  and  learn 
(from  your  example)  to  grow  great  in  the  service  of  their 
country. 

Long  may  you  live,  to  enjoy  the  sweets  of  that  prosper- 
ity and  peace,  which  your  arms  have,  under  God,  given  to 
America.  We  pray  Heaven  to  reward  you  with  its  choicest 
blessings,  and  to  make  you  as  happy  in  the  shades  of  retire- 
ment, as  you  have  been  illustrious  in  the  field  of  glory. 
Philadelphia,  Dec.  13,  1783. 


42  George  Washington  and  the  University 

His  Excellency's  ANSWER. 

To  the  TRUSTEES  and  FACULTY  of  the  University  of 

Pennsylvania. 
Gentlemen, 

I  experience  a  singular  satisfaction  in  receiving  your  con- 
gratulations on  the  establishment  of  peace,  and  the  security 
of  those  important  interests  which  were  involved  in  the  fate 
of  the  war. 

Desirous  of  being  considered  the  friend,  and  (as  far  as 
consists  with  my  abilities)  the  Patron  of  the  Arts  and  Sci- 
ences, I  must  take  the  liberty  of  expressing  my  sense  of  the 
obligations  I  am  under  to  the  Trustees  and  Faculty  of  the 
University  of  Pennsylvania,  for  paying  me  so  flattering  a 
compliment,  and  on  so  pleasing  a  subject. 

I  accept.  Gentlemen,  the  honors  you  have  had  the  good- 
ness to  confer  upon  me,  with  the  greatest  deference  and  re- 
spect. May  the  revolution  prove  extensively  propitious  to 
the  cause  of  literature — may  the  tender  plants  of  science, 
which  are  cultivated  by  your  assiduous  care,  under  the  fos- 
tering influence  of  Heaven,  soon  arrive  at  an  uncommon 
point  of  maturity  and  perfection — and  may  this  University 
long  continue  to  diffuse,  throughout  an  enlightened  empire, 
all  the  blessings  of  virtue,  learning  and  urbanity. 
Philadelphia,  Dec.  13,  1783.  Geo.  Washington.'' 

Washington's  next  visit  of  consequence  to  Philadelphia 
was  in  1787  when  he  presided  over  the  Constitutional  Con- 


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-m  a  pasrd  .„   .,.„  „,   his  physician.  Elisha  CuIIen  niclc.  .78a  M. 


George  Jf'ashington  and  the  University  43 

vention.  He  lodged,  as  has  been  said,  with  Robert  Morris 
and  accompanied  Mrs.  Morris  to  the  College  to  hear  a 
reading  for  charity.  We  find  in  his  diary  many  records  of 
his  intimacy  with  University  men.  He  "drank  Tea"  with 
Robert  Morris,  Benjamin  Franklin,  John  Cadwalader, 
Thomas  Willing,  Richard  Peters,  Benjamin  Chew,  James 
Hutchinson,  Francis  Hopkinson,  Thomas  Mifflin,  Philemon 
Dickinson,  Thomas  McKean,  John  Redman  and  many 
others. 

It  has  already  been  mentioned  that  Washington  had  a 
high  regard  for  James  Wilson.  In  1790  when  he  was  Presi- 
dent and  Judge  Wilson  was  Professor  of  Law  at  the  Uni- 
versity he  attended,  on  December  15th,  the  introductory  lec- 
ture in  College  Hall  which  was  the  beginning  of  the  first  law 
school  in  America.  Mrs.  Washington  accompanied  the 
President  on  this  important  occasion,  as  did  also  the  Vice 
President  John  Adams,  both  houses  of  Congress,  President 
Thomas  Mifflin  of  Pennsylvania  and  both  houses  of  the  Leg- 
islature, "together  with  a  great  number  of  ladies  and  gentle- 
men, the  whole  composing  a  most  brilliant  and  respectable 
audience." 

As  has  been  said,  Washington  placed  his  nephew  Bush- 
rod  under  James  Wilson  for  the  study  of  the  law.  He  be- 
came a  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States. 
Two  other  nephews,  George  Steptoe  and  Augustine  Wash- 


44  George  Washington  and  the  University 

ington,  were  entered  in  the  College  by  their  uncle  and  were 
of  the  Class  of  1792. 

When  Washington  was  President  the  citizens  built  a 
mansion  for  him  at  Ninth  and  Market  Streets.  He  declined, 
however,  to  accept  this  honour  and  rented  a  house  from 
Robert  Morris  near  the  corner  of  High  and  Sixth  Streets 
for  $3,000  a  year.  The  University  occupied  the  Presiden- 
tial Mansion  until  1829. 

After  he  returned  to  Mt.  Vernon  for  his  last  years,  Elisha 
CuUen  Dick  of  the  Class  of  1782  Medicine,  who  was  settled 
in  practice  at  Alexandria,  Virginia,  became  one  of  the  family 
physicians.  He  was  the  Worshipful  Master  of  the  Masonic 
Order  in  the  District  of  Columbia  and  walked  arm  in  arm 
with  Washington  when  the  corner  stone  of  the  Capitol  was 
laid.  Dr.  Dick  was  the  first  to  arrive  at  the  bedside  of  the 
dying  General  and  remained  with  him  until  the  end. 

It  is  a  coincidence  that  an  alumnus  of  the  University  was 
close  to  Washington  at  the  beginning  and  end  of  his  career. 
In  his  first  military  service  for  the  state  of  Virginia  in  1754 
when  he  led  a  force  against  the  Indian  allies  of  the  French 
at  Fort  Necessity  he  formed  a  warm  attachment  for  Dr. 
James  Craik,  the  Scotch  surgeon  of  one  of  his  regiments. 
The  doctor  became  a  faithful  and  confidential  friend  for  the 
remainder  of  his  life  and  was  his  family  physician.  They 
spent  much  time  together  at  Mt.  Vernon  and  in  traveling. 
They  served  together  in  Braddock's  campaign  and  Washing- 


Gi'ortjt'  n'asliifujton  and  the  University  45 

ton  appointed  him  assistant  director-general  of  the  Hospital 
Department  of  the  Middle  district,  including  the  states  be- 
tween the  Hudson  and  Potomac  Rivers  in  1777.  Soon  after 
this  Dr.  Craik,  warned  Washington  of  his  secret  enemies  in 
the  Conway  Cabal. 

Their  last  journey  together  was  taken  in  1784  when  they 
made  a  tour  of  the  land  on  the  Ohio  and  Kanawha  Rivers. 
In  his  last  illness  Dr.  Craik  was  immediately  sent  for  and 
near  his  last  words  were,  "Doctor,  I  die  hard,  but  I  am  not 
afraid  to  go."  As  the  end  came  Dr.  Craik  put  his  hands 
over  his  eyes  and  he  expired  without  a  struggle  or  a  sigh. 

On  Washington's  birthday  in  1794,  at  noon,  the  faculty 
waited  upon  him  in  person  to  present  their  felicitations, 
which  he  graciously  acknowledged.  Since  1826  the  Uni- 
versity of  which  he  was  the  friend  and  patron  has  celebrated 
his  birthday  as  an  especial  occasion  to  do  honour  to  one  who 
is  "enrolled  in  the  catalogue  of  her  sons,"  hoping,  as  did 
those  early  fathers,  that  "the  rising  generation  under  our 
care,  when  hereafter  they  shall  see  their  names  enrolled  with 
yours,  will  be  fired  with  emulation  to  copy  your  distinguished 
virtues,  and  learn  (from  your  example)  to  grow  great  in  the 
service  of  their  country." 


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UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


